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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Lizzy Buchan

Tory scandals plaguing Rishi Sunak - from Nadhim Zahawi's taxes to Dominic Raab bullying row

On his first day as Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak vowed to restore "integrity and accountability" to Government after Boris Johnson's scandal-hit stint in Downing Street.

The Prime Minister sought to reassure a fed-up nation that he would stamp out Tory sleaze and steady the ship after months of chaos.

Standing outside No10, he said: "Trust is earned. And I will earn yours."

But this promise has been left in tatters.

Just three months on, two Tory ministers are under investigation for their conduct and his predecessor Boris Johnson is still dogged by his Partygate hangover.

Worse still, Mr Sunak himself has now received his second police fine while in Government - for not wearing a seatbelt in a moving car.

Rishi Sunak promised to restore integrity to Government in his first speech as Prime Minister (PA)

Here's what you need to know.

Nadhim Zahawi's tax affairs

The Tory chairman's future is hanging in the balance after Mr Sunak tasked his ethics advisor to look into his tax affairs.

Mr Zahawi is facing questions over a dispute about unpaid tax which he resolved by paying a penalty to HMRC. It centres on shares in YouGov, the polling firm he co-founded before he became an MP.

The Tory million is believed to have paid an estimated £5million, including a penalty, to HMRC when he was Chancellor - and in charge of UK tax policy - between July and September.

Tory chairman Nadhim Zahawi is under fire over his tax affairs (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

The PM ordered his independent ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus to launch an investigation after saying there were "questions that need answering".

In a statement on Monday, Mr Zahawi said: "I welcome the Prime Minister's referral of this matter to the independent adviser on ministerial standards.

"I look forward to explaining the facts of this issue to Sir Laurie Magnus and his team. "I am confident I acted properly throughout and look forward to answering any and all specific questions in a formal setting to Sir Laurie."

But he facing calls to quit, including from Tory ex-minister Caroline Nokes who said he should step aside during the inquiry.

Dominic Raab bullying complaints

An independent probe was launched into the conduct of Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab after he was subject to multiple complaints of bullying.

Lawyer Adam Tolley KC was tasked by Rishi Sunak to examine eight allegations during Mr Raab’s stints as Justice Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Brexit Secretary.

Mr Sunak initially stood by the under-fire Justice Secretary but eventually bowed to pressure to allow a formal probe.

Deputy PM Dominic Raab is facing allegations of bullying during his time at THREE Government departments (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Mr Raab has previously defended himself against allegations of bullying, saying: "I've behaved professionally at all times… I look forward to dealing with it fully and transparently rather than dealing with anonymous comments in the media."

The Prime Minister reappointed Mr Raab as Justice Secretary in October. He held the role under Boris Johnson but was sacked by Liz Truss in September.

Boris Johnson's Partygate 'lies'

Boris Johnson may be out of office but the shamed ex-PM is still being dogged by the Partygate saga that derailed his premiership.

He is due to be hauled before MPs within weeks over whether he lied to Parliament over lockdown boozing in Downing Street.

When the Mirror broke the story about gatherings in Downing Street at the height of the pandemic, Mr Johnson repeatedly insisted no parties had taken place and no rules had been broken.

Boris Johnson was pictured raising a glass at a lockdown leaving do (PA)

The Privileges Committee, which is investigating his denials over gatherings in No10, is due to begin its explosive hearings in March.

The Mirror understands it will grill witnesses on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for several weeks in the run up to Easter.

Gavin Williamson bullying claims

Bungling Tory Sir Gavin Williamson was forced to quit his Government job in November - only two weeks into Rishi Sunak's premiership - after it emerged he'd sent expletive-filled texts to a colleague.

Ex-Chief Whip Wendy Morton complained to Tory bosses about a sweary exchange, where he moaned about not getting a seat at the Queen's funeral in September.

He was also reported to the MPs' bullying watchdog - the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) over the messages.

Mr Williamson was accused of telling a senior civil servant to "slit your throat" in front of colleagues during a meeting when he was Defence Secretary.

Sir Gavin Williamson quit his role as Minister without Portfolio after only two weeks (Getty Images)

On another occasion he allegedly told the official to "jump out of the window", according to The Guardian.

Former Tory whip Anne Milton also accused Mr Williamson of using MPs’ mental and physical health problems as “leverage” as he attempted to control them.

She claimed to Channel 4 that he boasted he “owned” a Tory MP in financial difficulty.

In his resignation letter, Sir Gavin said while he refuted the "characterisation" of claims against him, he recognised "these are becoming a distraction".

The South Staffordshire MP vowed to "clear my name of any wrongdoing".

...and Rishi Sunak himself

The PM landed himself in hot water when he was trying to make a slick Instagram video to promote his levelling up agenda.

Sharp-eyed social media users realised he wasn't wearing a seatbelt in the clip, filmed inside his chauffeur-driven car which was clearly moving, flanked by police outriders on motorbikes.

Rishi Sunak was pictured without a seatbelt in an Instagram video (PA)

Wearing a seatbelt in a moving car is required by law, and can carry a fine of up to £500.

Lancashire Police swiftly ordered him to pay a fixed penalty notice, making him the second PM to be fined by cops in office - after Boris Johnson.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister will pay the fine and “fully accepts this was a mistake and has apologised”.

Mr Sunak was previously slapped with a Partygate fine for attending Boris Johnson's surprise birthday gathering in the Cabinet room in June 2020.

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